Apple's 2020 iPhones to have rear 3D camera for augmented reality features

New rear-facing camera on the 2020 iPhone will be capable of scanning surroundings to create a 3D projection of the real world

Apple is planning to launch an iPhone featuring 3D augmented reality (AR) cameras in 2020 - but launches this year are unlikely to turn too many heads.

The rear-facing camera will be capable of scanning users' surroundings to create a three dimensional projection of the real world. It will also enable more precise depth perception and placement of virtual objects.

The 3D reconstructions in the new iPhone will work up to 4.5 metres (15 feet) from the phone. Apple's current iPhones already have a front-facing 3D camera system, which works between 25 and 50 centimetres, to power Apple's Face ID feature.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has earlier said that AR will form a significant part of the company's future. Current iPhones already support AR apps, enabling users to drop digital items on top of the real world and watch them through their iPhone.

To provide best results for longer distances, the 3D camera in iPhones 2020 will use a laser scanner, in place of dot-projection technology.

Apple's iPhone 2020 is also rumoured to come with improved photo-capture tools, and will almost certainly feature a more powerful ARM-based CPU.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is already in talks with Sony over the testing of sensors for the company's new 3D camera system.

Apple wouldn't be the first smartphone maker to attempt built-in 3D cameras, but earlier efforts never took off, partly due to the poor quality of the systems.

Apple was earlier thought to be planning to put the new 3D camera system on high-end iPhones it will launch later in 2019, but decided to delay the move, according to Bloomberg.

This year, Apple is expected to launch successors to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max and an update to the iPhone XR. The larger of the 2019 iPhone is expected to have three cameras on the rear side, compared to the current two.

The third camera will help capture a larger field of view, provide better resolution and also enable a wider range of zoom.

Apple is also reportedly testing USB-C connectors with the 2019 iPhone, suggesting that the Lightning port will eventually be replaced.